FIREMEN ENDANGERED

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 451, 19 June 1937, Page 4

FIREMEN ENDANGERED

FALLING TILES

Washhouse Completely Gutted

Fighting an outbreak of fire last night in a washhouse attached to a twelve-roomed dwelling in Page Street, several members of the Stratford Fire Brigade were struck by falling roof tiles but their helmets saved them from injury. About 7.30 o’clock when sitting by the fireside listening to the radio, the owner and occupier of the premises, Mr G. Connor, heard a crackling sound but at first he did not take any notice attributing the noise to a dog. He sent his young son out to investigate and on being told that the washhouse was on fire he gave the alarm by telephone. The Brigade arrived promptly and made what Mr Connor considers a remarkably good save. In another few minutes the whole house would have been ablaze. Attacking the seat of the fire in the washhouse the firemen were unaware that the roof was a tiled one until pieces began to fall. The wash-house was completely gutted and the flames spread for 20 feet through the ceiling of the bouse damaging the interior by smoke. Mr Connor cannot account for the outbreak as there had been no fire in the wash-house since Monday. Some linen in the wash-house was ’ destroyed but this as well as the i structural damage was covered by policies with the Phoenix Company.